In situ mining using bacteria

A process for recovering a mineral value from a stratum leachable by a fluid containing a leaching agent comprising:

• a. injecting into said stratum to contact said mineral value a medium capable of generating a leaching agent in said stratum, said medium consisting essentially of a carrier fluid, a surfactant and a biological agent;
• b. generating said leaching agent by action of said biological agent in situ in said stratum to produce a leaching agent concentration sufficient to leach the mineral value in said stratum;
• c. leaching said mineral value with said leaching agent;
• and
• d. displacing and recovering said fluid containing leached mineral value.